*後有中文內容
Today is the Summer Solstice, also known as the First Day of Summer. Summer Solstice is when the Sun reaches its highest position in the sky and is the day with the longest period of daylight. The Yang hits peak today and the Yin begins to rise from today onward.
How to Maintain -- Revive the Small Intestine Meridian + Sleep/Nap at the right time
The Small Intestine Meridian compliments with the Heart Meridian (which was the main focus for the last solar term. *feel free to go check it out! ^^), so as we take care of our Small Intestine during this solar term, we’ll also be nourishing the Heart as well.
The Small Intestine Meridian starts from the pinky (little finger) and goes along the posterior side of the forearm, stretching up until it reaches the back of the shoulder. One branch diverts, moving internally through the heart and stomach to reach the small intestines. Another branch travels externally across the neck and cheek to reach the outer corner of the eye and enters the ear. A short branch moves to the inner corner of the eye to connect with the Bladder Meridian.
Though the weather is hot and you may want to wear as little clothing as possible, it is important to avoid having the shoulder, neck area get exposed to cold winds (for example, having the fan or air condition blowing cold air directly at the back side). Also, as comfortable as an air conditioned room may be, try to not be in it for a long period of time. As mentioned before, during the Summer season, the Yang energy is gathered at the surface of the body. With long exposure of cold air, it will expend the Yang energy, which may cause joint pain and stiff shoulders and neck. Therefore, it is good to exercise the shoulder and neck as well as massage along the Small Intestine Meridian.
Now, about sleep, what does it mean to be sleeping at the right time? It is recommended to take a nap between 11am~1pm and to go to sleep before 11pm to allow the body to rest and recover between the 11pm~1am time frame. During this solar term period, it is best to not stay up late or pull any all-nighters, for there’s a saying that staying up once during Summer Solstice is equivalent to staying up for three nights! As mentioned above, during this period is when the Yin energy starts to rise, so damaging the Yin now will lead to weakening the Kidney Yin.
Diet
Like mentioned in the past few posts for the Summer season, it is good to eat light and easily digestible foods. Adding some sour flavored foods is recommended as well. For example: tomato, okra, chinese yam, cucumber, bell peppers, celery, peas, etc. Fruits such as melon, pear, watermelon, pineapple, strawberry, sugar cane, etc. Foods that are taken out from the refrigerator, should not be consumed right away. Instead, allow it to rise in temperature a bit so it is not too cold when it is eaten, which reduces the irritation of the stomach and digestive tract.
Herbs (foods) such as dried lily, dried chinese yam, goji berry, jujube (red dates), lotus seed, barley, hawthorn berry, plum,etc. are good to drink as tea or combined with summer fruits to make soups.
**Simple Cooking -- Okra Bacon Roll**
Ingredients:
Okra 1 box
1 pack of bacon (cut each slice in half)
A pinch of salt
Black pepper/soy sauce
Directions:
- Rub the okra with salt to remove its fluff, and remove the head/stem end after washing.
- Boil the okra for 1-2 minutes, then pick it up and put it in cold/ice water to cool.
- Take half a slice of bacon and wrap the okra tightly
- Then put the bacon in a pan and fry the surface of the bacon until it is golden.
- You can use some black pepper, or a little bit of soy sauce to taste.
Lifestyle
Besides from taking naps and sleeping at the right time as mentioned, it is also important to obtain a certain amount of exercises to promote blood and qi circulation. Remember to stay hydrated at all times (suggested intake: 2000~3000 ml), especially after a workout. However, when drinking water, remember to drink slowly and in small intervals.
The strong heat during Summer can easily cause the emotion level to high, therefore it is good to practice some slow, calming exercises to help calm the mind and the heart.
Essential Oil Blend -- Hand Shaoyang Small Intestine Meridian
*for massage
Majoram (5 drops)
Clove Basil (2 drops)
Frangipani Absolute (1 drop)
Hyssop (2 drops)
Lime (10 drops)
Sea Buckthorn (1 drop)
Cold-pressed sesame oil (20 ml)
Apply the blend along the Small Intestine Meridian and massage starting from the tip of the pinky (SI 1). Continue going upward along the arm all the way to the shoulder (SI 15).
Based on the circadian rhythm, 1~3 pm corresponds with the Small Intestine Meridian, therefore, it is good to massage during that time frame. Overall, massage once anytime during the day is good.
*for aromatherapy
Majoram (5 drops)
Tonka Bean (1 drops)
Frangipani Absolute (1 drop)
Rosemary (2 drops)
Lime (8 drops)
Petitgrain (1 drop)
Putting a few drops on a paper strip, hold it 3 cm away from your nose and breath (inhale, exhale 5 seconds each) for a minute.
You can also put a few drops in a diffuser to disperse throughout the day or during exercise and meditation.
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Once again I would like to thank Yu Wei Huang L.Ac for designing the character for Xia Zhi and providing all of the great suggestions for this time period.
The essential oil blends are based off of the book "Four Seasons of Aromatherapy" by Elizabeth S.
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夏至這個節氣象徵著天氣的平均溫度會穩定上升，並在夏至後達到最高。雖然隨著氣溫升高，在夜晚還是要注意不要著涼了喔！再來就是晝長夜短的現象會變得最為明顯，建議大家還是要維持規律的作息時間，並在中午時稍微小睡一下。自然界和人體的陽氣也會在夏至時達到高點，此時補益陽氣還是必須的，但也要開始注意滋養陰液，來維持體內的陰陽平衡。也就是為甚麼在夏季時會建議大家多食用生津止渴、清利暑氣的食物或是茶飲。但是平時體質偏寒性、手腳容易冰冷、怕冷的朋友們，還是以溫補為主。依照自己身體的需求加上季節變化，決定補瀉才是正確的養生觀念，若有任何疑問都可以去請教專業中醫師。
夏至的保養重點：養心助陽，利濕清暑
可以吃／喝什麼？
飲食以清淡、好消化的蔬食為主，並可適當增加具有酸味的食物攝取。如番茄、空心菜、秋葵、山藥、黃瓜、青椒、碗豆、芹菜、黃豆等，水果可食甜瓜、水梨、西瓜、鳳梨、草莓、甘蔗等。
剛從冰箱內拿出來的飲料食品應稍微放涼，等到沒有那麼冷的時候再服用，也能降低對腸胃的刺激。
茶飲可用百合、山藥乾、枸杞、紅棗、蓮子、薏仁、山楂、酸梅等和夏季盛產水果做搭配，如水梨銀耳湯、百合蓮子湯。
節氣食譜－秋葵培根捲
材料：
秋葵 1盒
培根 1包（對半切，對應秋葵的數量）
鹽 少許
用鹽搓洗秋葵可除去其絨毛，洗淨後切除蒂頭
燒水將秋葵川燙1-2分鐘後，撈起放入涼水中冷卻
取半片培根，用卷的將秋葵包緊
之後放入平底鍋將培根表面煎至金黃即可，接縫處先煎才不會鬆開
可單純用黑胡椒，或是灑一點醬油調味後擺盤上桌
生活習慣
生活作息方面適度的運動能幫助氣血循環，如果有出汗記得要注意水分的補充。每天建議飲水量大約為2000~3000毫升。炎熱的夏天容易使人心情煩躁，此時適合進行較為靜態活動可幫助靜心，使心情平和。
精油配方－手太陽小腸經
*按摩配方
甜馬鬱蘭 (5 滴)
丁香羅勒 (2 滴)
紅花緬梔 (1 滴)
高地牛膝草 (2 滴)
冷壓萊姆 (10 滴)
沙棘油 (1 滴)
冷壓芝麻油 (20ml)
每天一次順著小腸經按摩 （白天任何時候。 最好時間是下午1～3點）。
可以常常用手刀式互相敲打或是放在桌沿上來回滾動手掌外側的后溪穴（這個穴位通督脈， 有舒經利竅、寧神之功）。
*嗅吸擴香配方
甜馬鬱蘭 (5 滴)
零陵香豆 (1 滴)
紅花緬梔 (1 滴)
桉油醇迷迭香 (2 滴)
冷壓萊姆 (10 滴)
橘葉 (1 滴)
休息時間，靜坐， 睡前是都可以用嗅吸法/擴香法來安神。
記得使用嗅吸法時， 聞香紙要離鼻子3公分的距離， 吸氣，吐氣各5秒。 一開始不要做超過1分半鐘。 可以慢慢增加到5分鐘。
中醫小知識－小腸經
本次夏至精油按摩的重點經絡為小腸經。小腸經與心經互相為表裡。中醫理論認為五臟為陰（裡）六腑為陽（表），講究的是陰陽平衡，因此經絡也是一陰一陽、一表一裡互相配對的。故說養小腸經也是養心的一種方法。
小腸經起於小指外側末端，通過手掌和手腕，沿著前臂外後側，繞肩胛，上行至頸項。從此處分出一支脈進入體內，經過心及胃，直達小腸，與小腸相接。另一支脈則從鎖骨上行沿頸旁，上至面頰，直達眼外角，再入耳中，面頰部一短支脈進入眼內角，與膀胱經相連。
根據小腸經的巡行路線當小腸經出現病變時會出現眼睛發黃、聽覺減退、耳鳴、耳聾、面頰腫、頸部、肩胛部疼痛還有上臂及前臂外側疼痛。
按摩小腸經不僅可以改善頸肩疼痛、促進氣血循環，還可以提升消化功能喔！
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非常感謝中醫師黃昱瑋所提供有關【夏至】時期的養生方法還有可愛的插畫。
精油配方是來自沈莉莎的24節氣經絡芳療自療全書
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